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AB-698 • 2026

Local taxation: real property transfers.

Local taxation: real property transfers.

Housing Taxes
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Wicks
Last action
Official status
Senate - Pending Referral
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The source states the analysis must examine effects on affordable housing production but does not define specific metrics for this examination.

AB-698: Rules for City Taxes on Real Property Sales

This law requires city governments to create and post an analysis of how a new tax on property sales would affect affordable housing before they can pass the tax.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires cities, as specified in the bill, to develop an analysis before adopting any transfer tax on real property sales.
  • Mandates that this analysis must examine the effect of the proposed tax on the production of affordable housing, including from market-rate projects.
  • Orders city legislative bodies to post the completed analysis on their official internet websites.
  • States that these rules apply to all cities in California, including charter cities.

Who It Names or Affects

  • City legislative bodies
  • Charter cities

Terms To Know

Transfer tax
A fee charged when ownership of real property, like a house or land, is sold.
Affordable housing
Housing units that are priced low enough for people with lower incomes to afford.
Charter city
A city in California organized under its own special constitution or charter, which usually has more local power than general law cities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say what happens if a city fails to post the required analysis.
  • The text does not specify an exact deadline for when the analysis must be posted before voting on the tax.
  • The source material mentions cities 'as specified' but does not list specific exemptions.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Pending Referral

Official Summary Text

Local taxation: real property transfers.